Syria Rebels Free Iranians in Prisoner Swap

Deal to Release 48 Men in Exchange for More Than 2,000 Government Detainees Shows Tehran's Sway Over Assad Regime

By

Farnaz Fassihi And

Nour Malas

Updated Jan. 9, 2013 7:17 p.m. ET

BEIRUT—Syria agreed to release more than 2,000 prisoners in exchange for 48 Iranians held by Syrian rebels, in a deal that highlighted Iran's sustained influence over the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.

The deal, brokered with the help of Turkey and Qatar after months of negotiation, marks the largest prisoner swap since the Syrian uprising began nearly 21 months ago, though no Syrian government forces were released.